Health data collection tool

Abstract

A portable health data tool permits a health care provider to assimilate and display a plurality of health care data from a patient and to associate the data with patient identifying information all stored in a memory contained in the tool. The tool includes a code reader for reading patient information into the tool from a bar code or other coded tag. The tool is associated with a plurality of different data assimilation devices stored with the tool's housing, including but not limited to, instruments for measuring, temperature, blood pressure, two-finger or lead wire ECG data, pulse oximetry data, sound data and picture data obtained from an optional digital camera integrated within the housing. The tool further includes data receiver and/or transmitter ports, which may be wireless or cable ports, for transferring data between the health data tool and a separate computer system that stores patient records.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hand held health data tool defined by a housing having an upper and a lower portion, wherein a front surface of the upper portion supports a display screen and a plurality of input keys, and wherein the lower portion extends downwardly from one end of the upper portion at an angle relative to said front surface, the health data tool comprising:
 a plurality of data assimilation devices, wherein more than one of said plurality of data assimilation devices simultaneously acquire a plurality of signal data related to a patient for simultaneous display on the display screen, and wherein at least one of said plurality of data assimilation devices is associated with the upper portion and at least another one of said plurality of data assimilation devices is associated with the lower portion; 
 a plurality of input ports associated with said plurality of data assimilation devices, wherein at least one of said plurality of input ports is a two-way input/output computer interface port, and wherein at least another one of said plurality of input ports is a plug-and-play switch port to automatically set the health data tool for acquiring signal data from a data assimilation device plugged into said plug-and-play switch port; 
 a code reader to associate the plurality of signal data with a plurality of patient information extracted from an identifying device associated with the patient; 
 a plurality of spaces configured to carry said plurality of data assimilation devices, wherein at least one of said plurality of spaces is associated with the upper portion and at least another one of said plurality of spaces is associated with the lower portion, wherein said plurality of spaces are configured as at least one of a hollow compartment or a receptacle, and wherein said plurality of data assimilation devices are securely held within said plurality of spaces using at least one of a door, a clamp, a hook, Velcro or a latch; 
 a microprocessor located within the housing for converting the plurality of signal data into health care data; and 
 an electronic memory, located within the housing, to store said patient information and the health care data. 
 
     
     
       2. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein said angle is 90 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein said angle is an acute angle. 
     
     
       4. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein said lower portion has an upper surface that is continuous with the front surface of the upper portion, and wherein said front surface is flared at a medial position to define a junction between the lower portion and the upper portion. 
     
     
       5. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of data assimilation devices comprises at least two of a blood pressure sleeve, a thermometer, a pulse meter, an oximeter, a blood pressure measurement device, a stethoscope, a finger electrocardiogram unit, a lead wire electrocardiogram wire set, a digital camera, a microphone, or a hand pump configured for operating a blood pressure cuff. 
     
     
       6. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein said patient information comprises at least one of information pertaining to the patient's identity and information pertaining to at least one of a drug or device used by the patient. 
     
     
       7. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is configured for releasable insertion of a data assimilation device therein, and wherein the data assimilation device is secured within, and released from, said receptacle by closing and opening a latch mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen displays any one or combination of wave form data, alpha numeric data or image data. 
     
     
       9. The health data tool of  claim 1 , wherein the health data tool is configured to occupy not more than 2 cubic feet of space and weigh not more than 10 pounds.